STS I N EDGY U SPT TR YU IPNDAT S I GEH
SMART METERS SOLUTION:
THE FUTURE OF NATURAL GAS BILLING SYSTEM BY FATMA AHMED
L
ately, the world has been directed to the digitalization of all industrial sectors, replacing human beings with machines. By the evolution of machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IoT), new smart machines enabled easier, faster and more accurate data through cost-saving devices. Also, these devices are saving human efforts and enabling distant working, which is the future trend.
One of the neonates of IoT technology is the new smart meter solutions. Smart meters have emerged within the past few years to measure energy consumption, replacing traditional meters in homes and commercial institutions. Before discussing smart meters, it is essential to understand, briefly, how IoT technology works.
IOT ENABLES SMART GAS METER IoT is the concept of connecting any device to the internet and other connected devices. It is a giant network of connected things and/or people that allows for the sharing and collecting data. It generally refers to scenarios where network connectivity and computing capability extend to objects, sensors and everyday items not normally considered computers; allowing these devices to generate, exchange and consume data with minimal human intervention. Devices and objects are provided with sensors that are connected to an IoT platform which integrates 20
EGYPT OIL & GAS NEWSPAPER
data from different devices and applies analytics. These sensors are recognizing any changes that can happen. They can measure physical changes like temperature, light, height, pressure, etc. This concept generated the idea of applying smart gas meters.
phone, money is taken from that balance every time you use gas, and if you run out of credit, your gas will be temporarily switched off until you top up.”
Karim Heakal, Head of Pipelines projects at the Egyptian Natural Gas company (GASCO), defined Smart gas meters as tools used to manage and record gas consumption and performance of gas devices at homes. Heakal said “what makes the meters ‘smart’ is their ability to provide detailed and accurate analytics on gas usage in real-time or at predetermined intervals, all without a technician”.
El Gamal added that the second type is a networkcapable device that measures gas consumption of a building or home with two-way communication between the meter and the central system (supplier). “Communications from the meter to the network may be wireless, or via fixed wired connections such as power line carrier (PLC). Wireless communication options in common use include cellular communications (which can be expensive), Wi-Fi (readily available)”, El Gamal elaborated.
TYPES OF SMART METERS
SMART GAS METERS BENEFITS
Mohamed El Gamal, Project Manager at Smart Gas company, explained that there are two types of smart gas meters. El Gamal explained that “the [first one is] prepayment meter, where you use a card to load more money onto your meter. Just like a mobile
Smart gas meter solutions provide real-time data and analysis. This will enable showing how much gas is being used precisely which help in making better decisions about how to use natural gas. Additionally, this will prevent wrong estimation that many people
